The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: courtesy of ellen london

When it comes to navigating her way through life, Jessica Palffy '09 does not miss a turn. Over the course of her four years at Colby she has reached several scintillating destinations and already has more mapped out for the future.

Aside from studying Government and International Studies on the Hill, Palffy is a familiar face in the Colby Volunteer Center, at Outing Club meetings, on just about every road within twenty miles of Miller Library (she runs 'em all) and to lifties at Sugarloaf where she is known to carve up the steeps. When asked what her favorite Colby experience has been, "ski trips with friends" seemed to be first on her mind.

All of these activities have influenced Palffy's post-collegiate schemes, which include potentially working with Emily Wilbert '08 at Aspen's "Adaptive Program," which brings mentally disabled children to the slopes as a form of mental and physical therapy. As an intern with this program during JanPlan, Palffy spent most of her days with a four year old girl, Sarah, who had no control over her legs. Both challenging and fulfilling, the internship is indicative of challenges Palffy is prone to taking on.
Most imminent on Palffy's drawing board are her summer plans. After working for Overland Summers Inc. in 2008 as a leader for their backpacking, canoeing and rafting trip to Jackson, Wyoming, she has been offered a leader position for this year's Virgin Islands Service trip. This would involve snorkeling, backpacking, and working at a Boys and Girls Club on St. Croix-not a bad reprieve from the long Maine winter. As dazzling as this option sounds, she is still waiting to hear from Washington D.C. nonprofit, One, before making a final decision. One works in grassroots and advocacy projects, and a CEO team member Colby alum Kathy McKiernan '90 helped connect Palffy to the nonprofit.

Working in D.C. would not be a first for Palffy. Two years ago she was an intern in the White House Photography Office, where she had a plethora of experiences while writing press releases. She edited photos, put together a baby album for Cheney's grandson, catalogued photos from Laura and Jenna Bushs' trip to Africa, was chauffeured around to deliver event-invites to Senators, and biked through the streets in a business suit while on errands with her mutually athletic boss. Palffy even found her way to the West Wing where she changed the pictures on the wall every other week. Actually, those trips were chaperoned, as Palffy explained, "Post-Clinton administration policies were in effect."

No matter which way she turns, Palffy is always running, figuratively and physically. While at Colby she has participated in two marathons, one with her younger sister Amanda Palffy '11. This is one of many bonding experiences the siblings have shared since the younger Palffy became a Mule last fall. "It's awesome having Amanda around. Though Colby is small, we're involved in different activities, so we don't run into each other constantly. It is really nice meeting up for lunch, getting out for runs, and borrowing each other's clothes though." There may be a third Palffy sister, Tory, here soon-it seems she has found some reliable footsteps to follow.

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